The 10th annual conference - GIAC Arbitration Days - concluded on October 13th. This prominent event in the realm of alternative dispute resolution was once again hosted by the Georgian International Arbitration Centre (GIAC), with the support of the USAID Rule of Law Program and the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the United States Department of Commerce.

The conference served as a gathering point for professionals interested in arbitration and alternative methods of dispute resolution. From October 11th to 13th, practitioners and experts engaged in discussions on various aspects of arbitration, addressing topics such as dispute resolution and investment protection, dispute resolution and technology, emerging challenges in enforcing arbitration agreements and awards, conflict resolution in armed conflicts, the present and future of energy-related disputes, and the resolution of sports-related disputes. 160 local and international arbitrators, judges, lawyers, and representatives from the academia participated in the events.

The conference kicked off with welcome speeches from Beka Dzamashvili, the Deputy Minister of Justice of Georgia; Giorgi Pertaia, the President of the Georgian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Eric Wenz, Attorney Advisor of the Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP) of the United States Department of Commerce; and Neil Weinstein, Deputy Chief of Party of the USAID Rule of Law Program. They emphasized the importance of strengthening arbitration, highlighting its efficiency, impartiality, and confidentiality in resolving disputes, which ultimately saves time and costs while upholding fairness and preserving relationships between parties.

“USAID has played a significant role in enhancing the legal framework for arbitration in Georgia. It supported amendments to the Law on Arbitration, promoted the adoption of a Code of Ethics for Georgian Arbitrators, and continues to provide support initiatives, including conferences and forums that facilitate international collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of arbitration” – said the USAID Rule of Law Program Deputy Chief of Party, Neil Weinstein.

The conference's keynote speaker, Loukas A. Mistelis, a Senior Equity Partner at Clyde & Co and the Clive Schmitthoff Professor of Transnational Commercial Law and Arbitration at the Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary University of London, is a renowned expert on international dispute resolution and investment treaty law. His speech focused on "Arbitration in Times of Crisis: an Opportunity?"

GIAC Arbitration Days 2023 also featured a range of side events, including workshops and training sessions. With support from the USAID Rule of Law Program, the dispute settlement organization Resolve organized a special side event, a training session on negotiation — before, during, and after arbitration.

This session was attended by over 22 participants, including arbitrators, lawyers, and counsels, who honed their skills in negotiation and mediation, which are valuable tools for effectively resolving disputes in arbitration. The training was conducted by Natasha Tunkel, a seasoned mediator and arbitrator partner at one of Austria's leading law firms, Knotzel, and Katja Kroll, an experienced business mediator from Germany.

PWC also conducted a workshop focused on fostering effective collaboration between legal counsels and quantum experts. Additionally, the Young ICCA-GIAC workshop provided practical insights into commencing international arbitration proceedings.

In addition to the core conference program, GIAC Arbitration Days featured several social events. These events provided a unique opportunity for attendees to network and connect with arbitration practitioners from around the world in a more relaxed and informal setting.